Steps to Take After a Motorcycle Accident in Pennsylvania
If you have been involved in an accident on your motorcycle, here are some of the steps you need to take to protect your rights to pursue compensation for your injuries and losses.
Notify the Authorities
First, you should call the authorities to inform them of the accident. If you are calling from the scene of the crash, you should also request emergency medical service if you think you may have been hurt in the accident.
Contacting the authorities after a motor vehicle accident such as a motorcycle crash is important because you will want police to come to the scene to investigate and prepare a police accident report. If you later choose to file an insurance claim to recover compensation for injuries or motorcycle damage, you will likely have an easier time obtaining a fair and full financial recovery from the insurance company if you have a police accident report.
Gather Evidence
It is also important to gather evidence both at the accident scene and in the days following the crash. At the scene, you should take photos and videos of important details like vehicle damage, skid marks on the road, and traffic controls at the scene, if you are physically able to walk around the scene.
Afterward, you should also collect other evidence that may be relevant to your claim, including eyewitness statements, police reports, or medical records from the treatment of your injuries.
Seek Medical Attention
If you are not examined by paramedics at the scene of the motorcycle accident, you should go to the emergency room or to your primary physician as soon as possible after the accident. It is important to have any injuries you may have suffered in the crash diagnosed as soon as possible. First, it can be dangerous to leave certain injuries untreated, including injuries such as internal bleeding or traumatic brain injuries. Prompt treatment will also help improve your prognosis, so it is critical to follow your doctor’s treatment instructions and recommendations.
Documenting your injuries as soon as possible after a motorcycle accident will also help you establish that those injuries were caused by the accident rather than occurring after the accident or being caused by a pre-existing condition.
Keep Important Documents
To successfully recover compensation in a motorcycle accident claim, you will need documentation to establish what expenses and financial losses you have incurred due to the accident. Records that will help you prove the losses that you have suffered due to the accident include:
- Repair bills and invoices to fix the damage to your motorcycle
- Appraisals or Blue Book values for your motorcycle if it was totaled in the accident
- Medical bills and invoices
- Invoices and receipts for any other out-of-pocket expenses you incur
- Pay stubs or income tax returns to establish your wages
Speak to an Attorney
Finally, you should also consult with a motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible following a crash to get help with preparing your legal claim and to better understand your options and what to expect when pursuing a compensation claim.
Contact an Erie Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Motorcycle Accident Case in Pennsylvania
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a motorcycle accident in Pennsylvania? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Purchase, George & Murphey, P.C. represent clients injured because of motorcycle accidents in Millcreek, Harborcreek, Fairview, Meadville, and throughout Pennsylvania. Call 814-402-8826 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 2525 W. 26th St., Erie, P.A. 16506, as well as offices in Meadville and North East.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
Notable Results
Purchase, George & Murphey, P.C. publishes the following results.
$1.25 Million verdict · $325,000 settlement
Read more about these results
- $1.25 million verdict: McKean County car accident. Read the source account.
- $325,000 settlement: Injury claim grown from an initial offer of zero in six months. Read the source account.
- $260,000 evaluation: Rear-end accident underinsured motorist claim. Read the source account.
- $200,000 evaluation: Underinsured motorist claim at policy limits after a rear-end collision in Erie. Read the source account.
- $75,000 settlement: Erie car accident; the settlement was driven by the client’s lost wages. Read the source account.
Read the firm’s published results
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case is different and must be evaluated on its own facts.
What Our Clients Say
These excerpts describe experiences with the firm. They are not identified as cases in this practice area and do not predict another outcome.
“I was recommended to Tim George for my defense recently and was not disappointed with the outcome. He was very easy for me to work with. I am very thankful.”
— Nancy · Read the full Google review
“Attorney Tim George and his team was very easy to work with and I was very pleased with the outcome. The experience was very professional and on point. He was always prepared. I will highly recommend Mr. George and his team to represent you!”
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Awards & Recognition
- AV Preeminent® — Martindale-Hubbell’s highest peer review rating for ethics and legal ability.
- Pennsylvania Super Lawyers — all three firm principals named to the list; Craig Murphey has been selected every year since 2011 and Eric Purchase every year since 2013.
- The Best Lawyers in America® — Craig Murphey listed since 2012 and named “Lawyer of the Year” for the Pittsburgh region in Personal Injury–Defense (2017) and Insurance Law (2019 and 2023); Tim Riley listed since 2008.
- Avvo — 10.0 “Superb” rating and Client’s Choice Awards for criminal defense and DUI defense.
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